Family ties make Broncos-Texans compelling

Thursday night's game between the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans is truly a family affair.

Denver's Mike Shanahan developed current Texans head coach Gary Kubiak as he would his own son. Shanahan taught him the tricks of the coaching trade. He taught him his version of the West Coast offense. He taught Kubiak his creative, successful running game schemes. He took him from quarterback to quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. When Shanahan thought he was ready, he recommended Kubiak for head coaching jobs.

Though both teams stand on the verge of playoff elimination, this game is compelling because of what's happening along the Texans' sidelines. Kyle Shanahan, Mike's son, is Kubiak's quarterbacks coach. Mike Sherman, the Texans' offensive coordinator, is heading to Texas A&M after the season. Kyle, who many believe is a future head coaching candidate, could end up being Kubiak's offensive coordinator.

It's all in the family.

Kubiak, who left the Broncos after the 2005 season, might have trouble recognizing the offense he used to coach. Only tackle Matt Lepsis is left on the offensive line Kubiak knew. Tom Nalen and Ben Hamilton are on injured reserve. Wide receiver Rod Smith is out for the season. The backfield changes week to week. Jay Cutler is at quarterback.

The Broncos may be family to Kubiak, but he needs an introduction to the Broncos' new offensive family. Overall, the Broncos are in transition. After missing the playoffs last season, Mike Shanahan fired his defensive coordinator, shook up the defensive line, cut the middle linebacker and traded for cornerback Dre' Bly.

But things haven't worked out. Though Shanahan's game plans and Cutler's development at quarterback remain intriguing, the Broncos took major steps backward this season. The offense is averaging 21.6 points per game, but the defense is giving up 25.8 points per game. Those aren't playoff or Super Bowl numbers, and Shanahan thinks only in terms of Super Bowls.

What's interesting about this game is whether the Texans are ready to pass the Broncos in the AFC pecking order. Kubiak seems to have found the right quarterback in Matt Schaub, but the poor offensive line play that doomed David Carr has finally caught up to Schaub. He's been hit and beaten down all season. With Schaub out with a dislocated left shoulder, Sage Rosenfels is trying to get the team to .500 Thursday night.

Both teams enter the game with 6-7 records. Shanahan is hoping to keep Denver's fading playoff hopes alive. Getting to .500 doesn't mean a lot to him if a trip to the playoffs isn't attached. For Kubiak, though, getting to .500 means progress for a former expansion team that is moving in the right direction.